By Leonard Hall
July 13, 2006

At the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) conference in California last month, Gallaudet University President I. King Jordan in the opening ceremony speech described the selection process of Dr. Jane Fernandes as Gallaudet's ninth president.

The Gallaudet Board of Trustees announcement of Fernandes as president last spring caused a major protest on the campus in Washington DC. Deaf students set up a tent city for several weeks at the end of the semester to continue the protest.

Jordan pointed out that few individuals understand the unique governance system of universities and colleges where volunteers on the governing body make the decision pertaining to selection of the president.

For Johnson County Community College (JCCC), members of the board of trustees are elected to their positions for a four year term. It would be wise for JCCC Board to learn from Gallaudet experience in selecting JCCC next President.

The majority of Gallaudet Board of Trustees are deaf. For Jordan's replacement, a presidential selection committee was established of which 13 of the 17 members are deaf.

Of the 24 applicants for the job, 21 we re deaf or hard of hearing. There were 6 deaf semifinalists, and 3 were either a woman or people of color. The committee recommended 3 finalists, including one deaf woman and two deaf men.

The Board deliberated for two days before making the final decision. Jordan stated that it was difficult, perhaps impossible, for anyone outside of the search process to understand how thorough and comprehensive the process was. The committee and board assured everyone that the search process was fair.

Jordan pointed out that often there will be people who are disappointed and surprised with the search process and many may not agreed with the decision that is final.

Jordan went out to talk about the major changes in the world for Gallaudet and deaf people, including the critical fact that more than 80% of the deaf children now attend public schools.

The audience reaction to Jordan's speech was mostly positive. Later in workshops and one public rally, the student pro testors explained their causes in carrying on the protest.

The public rally attracted less than 100 of the 1600 deaf people attending the national conference. In one meeting, a student asked the deaf audience how many graduated from state schools for the deaf and less than 1/3 raised their hands.

Jordan stated that a continuing protest hurts Gallaudet; Gallaudet must ensure that transition to the next president is orderly and civil and can't send the message that protestors, not the Board, govern the University.

The eyes of the world are on Gallaudet again and the people involved must prove that they can do what is fair, right, and consistent with the best practices in higher education.

(Leonard Hall writes a weekly column for the deaf community. He can be reached at Legalnetwk@aol.com)

Copyright 2006 Olathe News